A Study of the Effects of Different Semantic Distance Icons on Drivers’ Cognitive Load in Automotive Human-Machine Interface

This study investigates the impact of different semantic distances of icons in the automotive human-machine interface (HMI) on drivers’ cognitive load. Experiments were conducted with 20 experienced drivers to assess their response time, accuracy rate, and subjective cognitive load measured by the NASA-TLX scale while identifying icons with varying semantic distances. The results showed that icons with a greater semantic distance increased the drivers’ response time and cognitive load, and decreased recognition accuracy. These findings are significant for optimizing automotive HMI design, guiding designers to consider the intuitiveness and recognizability of icons to reduce drivers’ cognitive load and enhance road safety. This research provides an empirical foundation for improving the driving experience and promoting more human-centered automotive interface design.